About what we do and who we are

A brief history of SABS

Hunt sabotage and hunt monitoring

With the change in the law, we hope will be less need for us to actually sabotage hunting.

We are focussing our activities on monitoring hunts in order to bring prosecutions. We hope that prosecutions will eventually result in the closure of those hunts that carry on persecuting wildlife. Some info on how to sabotage a hunt is still included below. Let's be realistic. We can gather information of lawbreaking and still save the animals that are being persecuted once the evidence is gathered.

If the Hunting Act does not prove to be as succesful as we have hoped then we may have to revert to the traditional method of stopping hunts from killing - hunt sabotage!

Monitoring

Sabbing

I have come across the hunt in the area where I live, what can I do without the hunt knowing

The tools of the trade

	CAMCORDERS - with these babies we can obtain evidence of law breaking, be that breaking the Hunting Act or trying to nick a camera off another monitor!! Often the appearance of the camera is enough to halt them in their tracks. Easy!
	HORNS - a copper hunting horn.  The same as a huntsman uses, except ours tend to be less expensive.  In the right hands they are just as effective.  Click on the picture to hear a horn call. Used to be the key tool in hunt sabotage. Not used so often these days.
	GIZMOS - a tape recording of hounds "in cry".  When played, the hounds believe that the rest of the pack are onto a fox, hare, stag or mink.  In actual fact it is some sabs running the opposite direction from the animal.   Click on the picture to hear hounds "in cry". Sitting in a cupboard should we need to return to sabbing because the law isn't enforced properly.

VEHICLES - they get us where we need to be to save lives (mind you it costs lots to keep them on the road). Land rover? Life saver!!

MONITORING

Monitoring a hunt involves following the hunt and capturing any law breaking on video. Quite often our mere presence is enough to make them behave but it is not always the case. We use technology such as video cameras, GPS (global positioning system) devices which accurately pinpoint locations. We also use maps to navigate the terrain and vehicles to position people quickly in the correct place.

If you ever spot anything dodgy, make a note of what happened, where and when, and note down any registration numbers or descriptions of people involved.

Blocking up badger setts in any form is now illegal. The exemptions that hunts used to abuse have been removed. (note: unfortunately badgers are still persecuted by farmers and DEFRA).

I want to come out monitoring/sabbing, what do i need to bring?

• video camera - if you have one
• maps
• clothes that keep the weather out
  
• shoes or boots suitable for running across muddy fields
  
• something to eat
  
• something to drink
• transport
  
• money towards fuel
  
• a garden spray if you have one

The rest you can learn quite easily.

Below: "Go get 'im". You may have to run up muddy tracks like this so be prepared!

HUNT SABOTAGE

For years, while we waited from Parliament to honour the wishes of the majority of folk in the country and BAN HUNTING, we went out and saved animals directly. This section explains how.

Put simply, hunt sabotage is non-violent intervention in the proceedings of a days hunting.

Hounds hunt by scent.  We use scent dullers to mask the scent of the animal being hunted.  A mixture of water and an essential oil called Citronella works particularly well.  We carry it in spray guns similar to to the ones on sale in garden centres.  THE SPRAY DOES NOT HARM ANIMALS.

The huntsman controls his pack of hounds with voice commands and his hunting horn.  He will use these to direct the hounds to where a fox has been spotted.  We use horn and voice calls to call the hunting hounds away from the direction the hunted animal has taken as in the above picture.  The hounds can be seen running along the hedge to the sab with the horn.

Another way of calling hounds off the scent of a fox or hare, or away from the direction the animal has run, is using a "gizmo". 

When the hunt run away from us we follow them in various vehicles

Hunt saboteurs escort Mink Hunters away from the killing fields.  Wealden Mink Hounds 1999

Hunt employees and supporters will travel around the hunted area the night before and block up places where they believe a fox to live or to be able to take refuge.  We unblock blocked earths and (often illegally blocked) badger setts.  If a fox runs to ground, we prevent the terriermen from digging it out by occupying the earth.

A foxhound "marking" an earth where a fox has taken refuge:

For more information on tactics check out the HUNT SABOTEURS ASSOCIATION website

If you really want to find out what it's about, GET ACTIVE!

I have come across the hunt in the area where I live, what can I do without the hunt knowing?

We know that some people who live in country areas can be bullied if they are open about their opposition to hunting. Here are some pointers.

• If you know the location of any badger setts or fox earths check them to see if they are blocked. If you know that the hunt are not allowed in that area or it is a badger sett, unblock them. It is best to only unblock fox earths if you are going to be around to stop the hunt terriermen digging the fox out.
• If you know which woods they will go through then walking through the wood making noise with sticks or taking your dog through there can help alert wildlife in advance. When a hunt enters a wood they often see the fox leave at the other end and bring the hounds round to where the sent is strong. If he/she has already left it is that much more difficult for them
• Make yourself up a spray with some water and a little citronella oil, crushed garlic or garlic powder. Spray round the edges of woods before the hunt arrive. Or:
• Drive around the area as if you are an interested supporter. If you see where a fox crosses the road or lane do not draw attention to it. If anyone from the hunt asks which way it went you can tell them the wrong direction (as far away as possible so they don't pick up on the scent).
• Spray round the area where the fox left the field and where it entered the field after it crossed the road. If there are any hunt supporters there you are likely to blow your cover if they see you doing it.
• If hounds are on the scent of a fox you can sometimes stop them by clapping your hands to make a noise similar to a whip and scolding them with words like "Get back", "Get away" and "Leave it". Again, if people see this they will know what you are up to.

Even if you don't come out sabbing there are ways you can help - click here to find out more